Her 2001 New BeetleTDI is overdue for new struts. She's utterly brand-unaware and balking at the price of Bilsteins. The car is rarely driven in anger. Springs are stock and will remain that way. I'll be doing the work myself. (Aside: Any landmines I should be aware of?)

I put a set of GR-2s on her old '96 Sentra and was impressed with them. Her dad has the Sentra now, and three and a half years later (but only about 20k miles) the GR-2s still work great.

Research led me to Sensen struts. Seriously inexpensive (as in a set of four for $127. Link: http://apxautoparts.com/apx/shocks-struts/full-sets/sensenr-1370-shocks-struts-full-set-4-pieces.html) but my Google-fu hasn't turned up any info on their longevity.

Suggestions/recommendations? Any brands to avoid? Or should I try harder to convince her the longevity of Bilsteins are worth it?

If you have access to a press or can pay someone to do it, replace the bushings at the rear of the front control arms with Audi tt ones at the same time. Stock ones that have been on the car long enough for it to need struts will be completly shot. The bushings aren't too hard to do with a harbor freight press.